Intelligent digital audiovisual reproduction system

ABSTRACT

Payment-based audiovisual playback system characterized by comprising a microprocessor device associated with a payment device primarily including means for storing, inter alia, in digital format the visual and sound information to be used. The system is associated through interfaces with display means and sound playback means for providing a multimedia environment. The system is controlled by a multitask operating system including a tool and service library integrated into the storage means. The system, which is also associated through an interface with a telecommunications modem, is optionally connected to an audiovisual data distribution network by a telecommunications modem and telecommunications links, said telecommunications function also being controlled by said multitask operating system.

[0001] The invention relates to a payment-triggered audiovisualreproduction system.

[0002] These audiovisual reproduction systems are generally found incafes or pubs. This type of system is composed of a sound reproductionmachine usually called a jukebox linked to a monitor which displaysvideo images or video clips. To do this the jukebox is equipped with acompact video disk player and a compact video disk library and includesselection buttons which locate the titles of pieces of music which areavailable. Payment of a proper fee followed by one or more selectionsauthorizes activation of the system with automatic loading in the playerof the disk on which the selected piece is found, the desiredaudiovisual reproduction then being able to start.

[0003] These systems, although allowing faithful and good qualityreproduction, nevertheless have major defects. Thus, a first defectrelates to the space necessary for storing the library; thisconsequently entails that the system will have large dimensions and willbe bulky. Likewise these systems which call on mostly mechanicalmaterial using sophisticated techniques have high fault rates; this isanother defect. Finally it is very unusual for all the pieces on a diskto be regularly heard; some are almost never played but still cannot beeliminated. Besides this defect, the following problem is caused by thecompanies, which manage and distribute these systems, placing in thecircuit a limited number of identical disks and imposing a certainrotation on their customers; this sometimes entails an unpleasant waitfor the customers when a disk is not available.

[0004] The object of the invention is to eliminate the various defectsof the systems of the prior art and it proposes an intelligent digitalaudiovisual system which is practical to implement, which is compact,which is reliable, and authorizes storage at the title level as well aseasy deletion or insertion of titles not listened to or wanted, all thiswhile maintaining performances and a high level of reproduction quality.

[0005] To do this the audiovisual reproduction system mentioned in thepreamble is noteworthy in that it is developed around a microprocessordevice linked to a payment device, on the one hand comprisingfundamentally storage means, for among others to store in digital formthe audio and visual information to be used, and on the other handlinked, via interfaces, to display means and audio reproduction meansallowing formation of a multimedia environment, the ensemble beingmanaged by a multitask operating system including a library of tools andservices integrated in the storage means.

[0006] Thus, all the audiovisual information to be used is digitized andstored in the memory and can then be reread with high fidelity, allowingthe audiovisual reproduction system according to the invention topresent high performances.

[0007] A new title can be easily introduced into the memory and a littleheard title can also be easily deleted from the memory. With musicalselections the corresponding album covers can likewise be stored indigitized form to be then filed. Storage means are provided for storinga minimum of 350 to 400 titles and can be extended without anydifficulty. The simplicity and absence of mechanical components in thesystem for reproduction of audiovisual information greatly reduce thenumber of failures; this results in lower cost maintenance withguarantee of a minimum of interventions. Moreover the multitaskoperating system which includes a library containing a set of tools andservices makes it possible to greatly facilitate operation due to itsintegration in the storage means and the resulting high flexibility. Inparticular, for this reason it is possible to create a multimediaenvironment by simply and simultaneously managing audio reproduction,video or graphics display and video animation at the same time. Inaddition, since the audiovisual information is digitized and stored inthe storage means, it uses much less space than for a traditionalaudiovisual reproduction system and consequently the bulkiness of thesystem according to the invention is clearly less. Under theseconditions, the dimensions of the housing in which the system is locatedare greatly reduced and the cost of the ensemble is likewise greatlyreduced. The external appearance of the housing of course can be easilyadapted to the nature of the establishment.

[0008] Advantageously the audiovisual reproduction system is moreoverlinked via an interface to a telecommunications modem, said system thenbeing connected to an audiovisual data distribution system by thetelecommunications modem and telecommunications lines, thistelecommunications function likewise being managed by the multitaskoperating system included in the library of tools and servicesintegrated in the storage means.

[0009] Connection to the audiovisual data distribution network, of aproprietary type, then authorizes the return and quasi-immediateinsertion of the desired titles in the storage means of this system, thetelecommunications lines preferably being of the high speed type. Ofcourse the multitask operating system, while allowing the formation of amultimedia environment, at the same time allows use of thetelecommunications services included in the library of tools andservices without conflict.

[0010] Notably the system can easily be provided with a timer forautomatic and periodic activation after a predetermined period ofnonuse, this timing function being written into the storage means andmanaged by the multitask operating system. These automatic and periodicactivations for partial or complete audiovisual reproductions make itpossible to draw the attention of customers and to act as a stimulus tothem and consequently increase revenues.

[0011] Characteristically, the storage means stores a catalog of titlesrelating to available audiovisual data with the corresponding fees,selection of a title automatically entailing internal processing whichtotals the sums relative to a chosen title. Thus a system of calculationand verification of fees in a rigorously exact manner is furnished.

[0012] Likewise, each choice of a title is counted for display ofstatistics of use, the display being triggered by fetching apredetermined function. According to this characteristic, the systemmanager or owner is allowed to display, after retrieving thepredetermined function, the statistical total of the various uses; thisguides him in the choice of titles to be retained or discarded. Thereceipts relative to the fees paid which are thus counted exactly arerecovered by the system manger or owner by a key.

[0013] Preferably, but in a nonrestrictive manner, the audiovisualreproduction system uses the aforementioned listed components.

[0014] The microprocessor device to be used is a high performancePC-compatible system, the choice for the embodiment having fallen on anIntel 80486 DX/2 system which has storage means and the followingcharacteristics.

[0015] compatibility with the local Vesa bus,

[0016] processor cache memory: 256 kO,

[0017] RAM of 32 MO

[0018] high performance parallel and serial ports,

[0019] SVGA microprocessor graphics adapter,

[0020] type SCSI/2 bus type controller,

[0021] self-powered static RAM

[0022] The display means consist essentially of:

[0023] 14 inch (35.56 cm) flat screen video monitor without interleavingof the SVGA type, with high resolution and low radiation, which is usedfor video reproduction (for example, the covers of the albums of themusical selection), graphics or video clips,

[0024] a 14 inch (35.56 cm) touch screen “Intelli Touch” from Elo TouchSystems Inc. which includes a glass coated board using “advanced surfacewave technology” and an AT type bus controller. This touch screen allowsdisplay of various selection data used by the customers and command andmanagement control information used by the system manager or owner. Itis likewise used for maintenance purposes in combination with anexternal keyboard which can be connected to the system which has akeyboard connector for this purpose, controlled by a key lock.

[0025] Likewise comprising part of the storage means, storage modulesusing hard disks of the high speed and high capacity SCSI type areconnected to the storage means already present in the microprocessordevice. These modules allow storage of audiovisual data.

[0026] A high speed 28.8 k/bps telecommunications modem adapter isintegrated to authorize the connection to the audiovisual datadistribution network.

[0027] To reproduce the audio data of the musical selections the systemincludes integrated amplified loudspeakers and is equipped withcommercial electronic cards of the music synthesizer type which areprovided to support a large number of input sources while providing anoutput with CD (compact disk) type quality, in particular:

[0028] microprocessor multimedia audio adapter of the “Sound Blaster”type SBP32AWE from Creative Labs Inc.

[0029] A thermally controlled 240 watt ventilated power supply providespower to the system. This power supply is protected against surges andharmonics.

[0030] The audiovisual reproduction system and especially themicroprocessor device are configurable equally by remote control, forwhich the following are used:

[0031] an infrared remote control from Mind Path Technologies Inc., anemitter which has 15 control keys for the microprocessor system and 8control keys for the projection device.

[0032] an infrared receiver with serial adapter from Mind PathTechnologies Inc.

[0033] A fee payment device from National Rejectors Inc. is likewiseintegrated into the system. It is also possible to use any other devicewhich allows receipt of any type of payment by coins, bills, tokens,magnetic chip cards or a combination of means of payment.

[0034] To house the system a chassis or frame of steel with externalcustomizable fittings is also provided.

[0035] Besides these components, a wireless microphone is incorporatedinto the system; this allows transformation of the latter into apowerful public address system or possibly a karaoke machine. Likewise awireless loudspeaker system can be used by the system. Finally, remotecontrol allows, for example from behind the bar, access to and controlof various commands such as:

[0036] microphone start/stop command,

[0037] loudspeaker muting command,

[0038] audio volume control command;

[0039] command to cancel the musical selection being played.

[0040] The choice of software developed or used to operate theaudiovisual reproduction system has been voluntarily oriented to beuser-friendly. From this perspective all the characteristics of saidsystem can be controlled via the easy-to-use graphics touch screen incooperation with an auxiliary voice synthesis system.

[0041] To do this, in an noteworthy manner, on the touch screen used forcontrol and assistance at least four control panels can be selected, thefirst title selection panel proceeding to help customers find and selecta desired title, a second management control panel for control ofvolume, basses, trebles or panoramic control on the video monitor, athird panel for scanning the title database, for private use, to allowthe system manager or owner to examine the database containing theavailable titles via the audiovisual data distribution network tocontrol and retrieve said titles, a fourth statistics panel, for privateuse, for statistical estimations and calculations relative to thetitles.

[0042] Customer selections of musical pieces are greatly simplified bythe presence of the graphics interface which has facilities such asbrowsing the available titles according to various selection criteria,for example title, composer, category, etc. Moreover, when a musicalpiece is chosen the album cover to which it belongs can be displayed atthe same time as certain statistical data such as the composer of thepiece, its length, album label, etc.

[0043] For this purpose the system operating software has been developedaround a library of tools and services largely oriented to theaudiovisual domain in a multimedia environment. This libraryadvantageously includes a multitask operating system which efficientlyauthorizes simultaneous execution of multiple fragments of code. Theoperating software thus allows concurrent execution, in an orderlymanner and avoiding any conflict, of operations performed on the displaymeans, audio reproduction means as well as management of thetelecommunications lines via the distribution network. In addition, thesoftware has high flexibility since it allows the owner of theestablishment to use options not available before, such as:

[0044] automatic withdrawal to an auxiliary source, for example, a FMtuner, during inactivity of the main function,

[0045] remote control of the audio volume,

[0046] cancelling or skipping a musical piece,

[0047] superposition of a microphone on the existing sound for publicaddress or to convert the system into a karaoke machine,

[0048] amplifier control with respect to output power, right or leftchannel balance, control of base or treble frequencies,

[0049] automatic activation of audiovisual reproduction at controllableintervals when the system is inactive.

[0050] Advantageously the audiovisual data distribution network is anintegral part of the system environment according to the invention andit allows the manager or owner of the system to exploit new and powerfulpossibilities and services such as:

[0051] remote technical assistance: either for problems of minormalfunctions by assisting the system manager or owner, or for more majorproblems by assisting the technicians in locating the fault and thedefective component,

[0052] management of security: each system is connected to a localcontroller system according to a preestablished time pattern foracquisition of an approval signal in the form of a registration numberwhich authorizes it to operate. In addition, if cheating is detected orthe system can no longer communicate via the network, said systemautomatically stops working,

[0053] acquisition of musical pieces with the album covers; the systemmanager or owner can select and acquire musical pieces by browsing theselection database. Transfer of a musical piece with its album cover andintegration into the list of available titles are done within a veryshort time,

[0054] upgrading of the system: corrective maintenance of major or minorproblems relative to the system operating software, improvements orupgrades are enabled via the telecommunications lines through thedistribution network. Only a few minutes are necessary to transfer thesemodifications to any network system,

[0055] collection of statistics: all statistics and data internal to asystem are rapidly available to be compiled via the distributionnetwork, these statistics allowing specific and efficient analysis ofthe entire market situation,

[0056] billing: the distribution network automatically calls the systemwhich has registered the amounts collected by the system followingpayment by the user, calculates the composer royalties which the systemmanager or owner must pay to the distribution network company, andproduces the appropriate accounts,

[0057] marketing and promotion: at the request of a title supplier forpromotional purposes high fidelity digital reproduction of a title isavailable to the system manager or owner during subsequent hours via thedistribution network.

[0058] Digitization of the musical selections which are made availablevia the distribution network is done using various commerciallyavailable software tools while provide standard formatted data files.

[0059] The digitized audiovisual data are stored in a format which usesstandard compression. The system decompresses the musical selectionsstored in the storage means at the instant at which they are reproduced;this allows a considerable reduction in the memory space necessary tostore them, while optimizing the delays during transfer via thetelecommunications lines.

[0060] Each selection is available according to two digitized formats:with a hi-fi quality or CD quality. This authorizes an advantageousbalance between the necessary memory space and the required reproductionquality which depends on the effective noise level in the establishmentand the quality requirement.

[0061] The following description with reference to the attacheddrawings, given using a nonrestrictive example, will explain how theinvention can be accomplished.

[0062] The sole FIGURE represents a flowchart showing the specificservice modules of a task managed by the multitask operating system, theensemble of modules being included in a library stored in the storagemeans.

[0063] Prior to describing and reading this flowchart, it must be notedthat while all these modules described separately seem to be usedsequentially, in reality the specific tasks of these modules areexecuted simultaneously in an environment using the multitask operatingsystem. Consequently the flowchart indicates the specific operationswhich the module must perform and not a branch toward this module whichwould invalidate all the operations performed by the other modules.

[0064] The first module, labeled SSM, is the system startup module. Thismodule does only one thing, consequently it is loaded automatically whenthe system is powered up. If the system is started with a correctregistration number it then directly enters the “in service” mode of themodule labeled RRM.

[0065] The REG module is the registration mode module which, when it isactivated for the first time or when approval for a new registration isnecessary, indicates its software serial-number and requests that theuser enters his coordinates, such as the name of the establishment,address and telephone number. When the system is not registered, itoperates only for registration, providing the manager with theappropriate information necessary to activate it. Once the user hasfinished entering the necessary information, the system proceeds toregister itself for a predetermined registration period and thenactivates itself completely. Before the registration period expires, thesystem attempts to establish a telecommunications link to a server viathe distribution network. If a connection is established, it renews itsregistration with its software serial number and provides to the serverthe additional user information furnished by the customer. When theregistration period expires before the system is able to establish alink and renew its registration, it is invalidated after a configurablegrace period has expired and sends the message “out of service”. Whenthe manager inserts his key, he is guided for system registration. It ispossible to register the system by telephone when a telecommunicationsline problem or telephone line fault occurs. When a system is registeredand activated by the telecommunications network or via a telephone callto the distribution network headquarters, it becomes completelyoperational in two modes, “user” and “manager” (for system maintenance)for another registration period.

[0066] The RMM module is the module of the “in service” mode which isthe mode of operation which the system enters when its registrationnumber has been validated. In this mode the system is ready to handleany request which can be triggered by various predefined events such as:

[0067] customers touching the screen: when a customer or user touchesthe screen the system transfers control of the foreground session to theCBSM module of the customer browsing and selection mode,

[0068] telecommunications network server call requests: when the systemdetects a loop on the phone line, it emits an asynchronous backgroundprocedure: the telecommunications services mode of the TSM module,

[0069] requests concerning the key switch: when the manager turns thekey switch the system hands over control of its foreground session tothe management mode MMM module,

[0070] reception of a remote control signal; when a command is received,it is processed in a background session by the system command SCM modulewhile the foreground session remains available for other interventions,

[0071] appearance of end of timing, showing inactivity of the system:when one of the various timers is activated, control is temporarilyhanded over to the inactivity routines IRM module for processing.

[0072] The system remains in the “in service” mode until one of theabove described events takes place.

[0073] The IRM module is the inactivity routines module. It contains theroutines which perform predetermined functions which it can call on whenthe system is inactive and when a predefined but adjustable timeinterval corresponding to timing has expired. The aforementioned list offunctions which the system can handle is of course not restrictive andcan only be increased. Moreover, it should be noted that new functionswhich would be desirable to add to the overall system of thedistribution network could be added very easily at any time and as soonas they are created using the remote control services for softwareupgrading. Such functions can be offered and added for example whenrequirements have been confirmed regarding management of the ensemble ofsystems or simply for a given system. Some of these proposed functionswith the system are described below:

[0074] display of an album cover to announce its presence or its futureintegration into the system; the system displays a full screen ofannouncements showing the album covers for a desired interval. Differentpanoramic effects can be used, zoom forward and back, for example, onthe covers of each album to draw the attention of the customers,

[0075] broadcast of parts of musical pieces present in the system; themanager in this case can control and sample the pieces broadcast duringa specific interval and can have these pieces correspond to the albumcovers on the screen,

[0076] reproduction of complete selections for internal promotionalproposes: the manager can impose a period of defined inactivity afterwhich a randomly selected musical selection is reproduced. At the end ofthis period a musical selection is thus taken randomly in the system,then played in its entirety without payment of fees,

[0077] audio reproductions for external promotional purposes: thisoption works in the same way as the preceding one, except that itauthorizes the system to accept playing of the promotional musicalselections for which third parties have paid and which are distributedfreely over the telecommunications network.

[0078] promotional spoken announcements of new musical selections:according to this option it is possible to verbally promote newly addedselections or to add them in the near future to the system vialoudspeakers integrated into the system;

[0079] withdrawal to an auxiliary source; at his discretion the managercan request that the system, when inactive, withdraw to an auxiliarysource. For example, when this option is activated and when a FM tuneris connected to the system inputs and the system is inactive, saidsystem directs its auxiliary source input to its main output after thedelay determined by the inactivity has expired.

[0080] The SCM module is the system commands module. This module allowsfunctions which control the system to accept a required input by aninfrared remote control device, these functions being handledinstantaneously without the process underway being stopped. A very largenumber of these functions are possible, only some are listed below, in anonrestrictive manner:

[0081] audio volume control of the played selections,

[0082] audio volume control from the auxiliary played source,

[0083] microphone start/stop command,

[0084] microphone audio volume control,

[0085] balance control, left channel, right channel,

[0086] control of base frequency level,

[0087] control of treble frequency level,

[0088] command to cancel or skip a musical selection,

[0089] panoramic effects command, zoom forward, zoom back,

[0090] triggering of zeroing of the software program.

[0091] The MMM module is the management mode module. This module istriggered when the key switch is turned by the manager. The display ofan ordinary screen is replaced by a display specific to systemmanagement. With this new display the manager can control all thesettings which are possible with remote control. He can likewise takecontrol of additional low level commands allowing for example definitionof commands to be validated or invalidated on the remote control. He isalso able to define a maximum of high and low levels for each systemoutput source, these limits defining the range available on the remotecontrol. Using this screen the manager can access the mode of newselection acquisition by touching a button located on the touch screen.When the manager has succeeded in defining these commands as well as thesystem configuration, it is then enough to remove the key and the systemreturns automatically to the “in service” mode.

[0092] The NSAM module is the new selections acquisition mode module.When this mode is activated, a new control screen appears. This mode isdesigned to assist the manager regarding the location or fast andefficient acquisition of titles of musical selections. To do this thescreen offers different options such as:

[0093] search by title,

[0094] search by artist,

[0095] search by category (pop, rock country, etc.),

[0096] alphabetic sorting,

[0097] sorting by issue date.

[0098] The manager can browse the ensemble of available titles andselect them by simply touching their designation on the screen to loadthem. Once the selections have been made and the manager has exited themodule, the system automatically sends the list of selections to returnto the background to the telecommunications services mode module forprocessing, then returns with foreground control to the management mode.

[0099] The CBSM module is the customer browsing and selection modemodule. Access to this module is triggered from the “in service” mode bytouching the screen. When the customer touches the screen, the screendisplay disappears to make room for a menu provided for powerfulbrowsing assisted by digitized voice messages to guide the user in hischoice of musical selections.

[0100] The TSM module is the telecommunications services mode module.The module allows management of all management services available on thedistribution network. All the tasks specific to telecommunications aremanaged like the background tasks of the system. These tasks always useonly the processing time remaining once the system has completed all itsforeground tasks. Thus, when the system is busy with one of its higherpriority tasks, the telecommunications tasks automatically will try toreduce the limits on system resources and recover all the microprocessorprocessing time left available. Some of these tasks managed by thismodule are listed below:

[0101] transfer of audio or video data,

[0102] automated accounting of the fees for musical selections,

[0103] accounting of musical selection use,

[0104] collection of statistics,

[0105] system diagnostics,

[0106] system security (integrity),

[0107] monitoring of the selection inventory,

[0108] configuration verification,

[0109] upgrading of software program.

[0110] The SSC module is the system security control module. This modulemanages security, each system is linked to a local system controlleraccording to a preestablished time pattern for acquisition of theapproval signal in the form of the registration number, authorizing itto operate. In addition, if cheating has been detected or the systemcannot communicate via the network, said system automatically stopsworking.

[0111] In conclusion, the audio visual reproduction system according tothe invention, as we have just seen, has a large number of advantagesover systems of the prior art. This powerful system which uses acomputer can store and reproduce any musical selection while maintainingits original quality. It allows simple and efficient replacement of allmechanical and sophisticated electronic devices of the prior art whichwere sources of faults, such as the disk changing arm, lasers, etc.,thus greatly reducing maintenance costs. It is simple and compact. Themanagers or owners of this system can efficiently monitor the titles ofthe musical selections since they uniquely command the desired titles,thus bypassing a distribution company which ordinarily only acquires asmall number of unique titles, then imposes a rotation on theircustomers. Here it is possible to acquire only specific titles and thisat reduced prices, as well as entire CD albums; this allows asignificant reduction in the management costs. With the integratedinteractive video module this system can also be used for promotionalpurposes, market research or even as a karaoke machine. Finally, use ofa multitask operating system authorizes simultaneous management of themix of executed tasks without conflict; this represents a majoradvantage.

1. Payment-triggered audiovisual reproduction system, characterized inthat it is developed around a microprocessor device linked to a paymentdevice, on the one hand comprising fundamentally storage means, foramong others to store in digital form the audio and visual informationto be used, and on the other hand linked, via interfaces, to displaymeans and audio reproduction means allowing formation of a multimediaenvironment, the ensemble being managed by a multitask operating systemincluding a library of tools and services integrated in the storagemeans.
 2. Audiovisual reproduction system according to claim 1, whereinit is moreover linked via an interface to a telecommunications modem,said system then being connected to a audiovisual data distributionsystem by the telecommunications modem and telecommunications lines,this telecommunications function likewise being managed by the multitaskoperating system included in the library of tools and servicesintegrated in the storage means.
 3. Audiovisual reproduction systemaccording to claim 1 or 2, wherein it is provided with a timer forautomatic and periodic activation after a predetermined period ofnonuse, this timing function being written into the storage means andmanaged by the multitask operating system.
 4. Audiovisual reproductionsystem according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a catalog oftitles relating to available audiovisual data with the correspondingfees, selection of a title automatically entailing internal processingwhich totals the sums relative to a chosen title, is stored in thestorage means.
 5. Audiovisual reproduction system according to one ofthe preceding claims, wherein each choice of a title is counted fordisplay of statistics of use, the display being triggered by fetching apredetermined function.
 6. Audiovisual reproduction system according toone of the preceding claims, wherein the storage means include basicallya video monitor for reproduction of images of the audiovisualinformation and a touch screen for control and assistance on which atleast four control panels can be selected, the first title selectionpanel proceeding to help customers find and select a desired title, asecond management control panel for control of volume, basses, treblesor panoramic control on the video monitor, a third panel for scanningthe title database, for private use, to allow the system manager orowner to examine the database containing the available titles via theaudiovisual data distribution network to control and retrieve saidtitles, a fourth statistics panel, for private use, for statisticalestimations and calculations relative to the titles.